Raina Telgemeier's "Drama"

    While I would not consider Raina Telgemeier's "Drama" to be high class literature or of any particular literary value, I can definitely see why it appeals to young people, and I can recognize that, bearing in mind its targeted demographic, its plot's messaging could have a major impact on its readership.
    
    In many ways, the plot and setting of "Drama" are extremely familiar territory for many of us who can vividly remember our tough times in middle-school, and they would definitely resonate with a middle-schooler who is going through the painful throes of adolescence and is desperately trying to stake out an identity for themselves in their social sphere. I think this is important for the purposes of its messaging, and its simple yet not babying verbiage, distinct and likable characters, and rapid plot development also help to keep young minds engaged.

    As was discussed in our previous class session, I think this book, though rather shallow, can be important for someone trying to figure out how to navigate high school, especially if they are feeling outcast in some way--be that from a diverse identity, social anxiety, or any confluence of factors. Additionally, as was mentioned, this book might be someone's first exposure to someone of an LGBTQIA+ identity. For people who might be questioning their identity and whether or not they are part of the queer community, this book could be really reaffirming of the inner feelings that they fear expressing, and it could show that queer people can find communities that will accept and celebrate them. Furthermore, for cishet young people, this book could be an educational tool that helps them understand the struggles of queer people in finding their voice and trying to live life as their authentic selves. Again, while this book isn't necessarily a profound exploration of queer experiences or of the social complexities that surround being queer, if it acts as the foot in the door for young people to get engaged in these very important social and cultural discussions about identity and respecting people's humanity, then I think Telgemeier has accomplished a lot of what she aimed to do in writing "Drama."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Bronx Masquerade

  Paige Holley Dr. Ellis Banned Books 5 February 2024 The Bronx Masquerade   In the first half of  The Bronx Masquerade  by Nikki Grimes students in Mr. Ward’s class find that they have more similarities than differences by listening and sharing their poetry in class on Fridays. Each student faces real world struggles that impact their personality and thought process. Students shared aspects of poverty, body images, fear of failure and more through writing poetry. However, as the novel progress’s readers can see a clear shift in students outlook on their classmates and their futures. The Bronx Masquerade gives readers a valuable lesson regarding expression and gaining confidence through artistic expression.    The sharing of personal feelings, thoughts, and beliefs through poetry has allowed students to feel heard. The confidence they have gained has not only become apparent in their poetry but their actions as well. One student who has shown a lot of growt...
Read more

“The Promotion of Justice:” Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Image
This is the third time I have read Peter-Hans Kolvenbach’s “The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice in American Jesuit Higher Education,” and with each reading, I am afforded new perspectives on what it means to receive a Jesuit education and the responsibilities I have, as both a student and person, to advocate for the injustices I encounter. (Wow, so many thoughts, where to start). I am always so focused on the justice piece. And yet reading Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” has had me reflecting on what the “Promotion of Justice” means without faith. “Despite the opportunities offered by an ever more serviceable technology,” Kolvenbach writes, “we are simply not willing to pay the price of a more just and more humane society” (32). I often leave conversations about injustices today, my subconscious fighting between feelings of overwhelming disappointment and frustration, and motivation. I see a glass half empty; I see non-existent progress; I see peop...
Read more

Melissa and Scott

We, as a society, tend to focus heavily on the negative repercussions of coming out—rejection, judgement, even cruelty. Especially in our class, where we lean into challenging conversations about. But there are so many reasons to celebrate coming out, and I felt as though Alex Gino did a wonderful job at conveying this message in   Melissa . I wanted to specifically talk about Scott, Melissa’s brother, and perhaps the most stereotypically teenage boy character I have ever read about. In the first half of the book, it is clear that Melissa and Scott have a somewhat strained sibling relationship. Melissa almost seems intimidated by her older brother, a reaction that may be inspired by the similarities between Scott’s character and that of Melissa’s school bullies. After coming out to her brother, however, Melissa is grateful for Scott’s nonchalant, yet supportive response. “Scott snuck glances her way too, but where Mom’s eyes with filled with concern and confusion, Scott looked at G...
Read more